BMW X-raid X3CC, X5CC and TRIO at Dakar 2009
Source: www.x-raid.de & www.dakar.com
The Dakar 2009, for the first time in South-America, and ofcourse the BMW X-raid team is competing with the worlds' top drivers and teams.
The BMW X3CC was developed in conjunction with X-raid's partners Magna Steyr in Austria. The engine is supplied and developed by BMW Motoren GmbH in Austria.
Like the years before, there are specially set-up X-raid BMW X3's (X3CC) driving around the thoughest terrain in the world.
X-raid started with 6 cars, driven by Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (#302), Guerlain Chicherit (#306), Orlando Terranova (#315), Leonid Novitskiy (#316), Peter van Merksteijn (#318) and Rene Kuipers (#330).
Next to the X-raid team there are other BMW's competing as well: two X5CC's and one BMW TRIO prototype (based on a BMW 1 Series Coupé).
Re-Birth of the Roadster: The new BMW Z4.
Source: BMW Group
The classic roadster is back – more powerful and more stylish than ever before as modern interpretation of this very special kind of car. Its name is the BMW Z4, the only car in its segment combining classic roadster proportions with a seating position moved close to the rear axle, rear-wheel drive and an automatically retractable hardtop.
The new BMW Z4 offers all the driving pleasure of a BMW Roadster with particularly refined and stylish flair. Driving with the roof down, this supreme two-seater offers a refreshingly intense experience of the sunshine and the wind rushing by – and driving with the hardtop closed it provides all the comfort of a sporting coupé in the premium segment. So through this diversity and wide range of qualities, the new BMW Z4 is the re-birth of the roadster.
BMW M GmbH takes the BMW X5 e70 to a new level, with the BMW X5 M.
This X5 will probably have a souped up version of the V8 Twin-Turbo under the hood with over 500bhp!
Return of a Legend: Brabham BT 92
Source: Autoblog.nl
One of the most illustrious names of automotive history has returned. After numerous successes in Formula One and being dormant for nearly sixteen years, the legendary motor racing brand was relaunched.
Despite its long absence, the renowned company still has to meet high expectations. Its vehicles are designed according to highest quality standards and manufactured by using state-of-the-art technology. Consequently, development programmes designed for the automotive industry and Formula One manufacturing techniques are employed as well.
By using wireframe models, maximum precision is guaranteed already during the construction process. The engines increased performance forced the constructors to develop technically independent high-performance braking systems. In addition to this, all carbon-fibre body parts used for the production of Brabham racing cars are cured in autoclaves - these quality characteristics are visible at the first and even at the second glance one gets of each new Brabham model.
At the relaunch on the Essen Motor Show 2008, Brabham Racing will already present three models: the BRABHAM BT 92 based on the BMW M3, the BRABHAM BT 60 based on the BMW M5 as well as the BT 70 - a sporty interpretation of the SUV X6. Each of these models embodies the company's message: high-tech, quality, sportiness, design, exclusiveness and history.